In busy, high-demand professions, wellness can sometimes feel like just another item on a to-do list. Yet research consistently shows that genuine breaks from work, meaningful time with family and friends, and playful experiences are some of the most powerful ways to protect and improve our mental health.
Why fun and adventure matter for mental health
Leisure activities aren’t just “nice to have”—they play a key role in promoting mental well-being. Studies show that engaging in enjoyable activities helps reduce stress, improve mood, and build emotional resilience, in part by creating positive emotions and giving the brain a break from sustained pressure. Adventure-based and outdoor experiences can be especially beneficial, encouraging presence, novelty, and movement, all of which support psychological well-being.[1]
This was the impetus for CPA Assist’s Discovery Days, which is intentionally designed to encourage CPAs to unplug, slow down, and choose activities that are fun rather than obligatory. With the entire park reserved for CPA registrants and their guests, attendees are encouraged to step back from daily pressures and connect through shared, enjoyable experiences.
While the 2026 Discovery Days at Canyon Adventure Park sold out quickly, here are some other wellness ideas for summer fun in Alberta:
Day or weekend trips
- Drumheller: visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum and hike in the badlands
- Elk Island National Park: plan a picnic, do a shoreline walk, and check out the bison
- Canmore and Grassi Lakes: take a quick, scenic hike and finish with ice cream on a patio
- Vulcan: tour a space-themed tourist station, perfect for Star Trek fans
- Wood Buffalo National Park: check out epic landscapes and stick around for the dark skies
Water outings
- Whitewater rafting: consider a guided option for beginners through to adventurous groups in places like Kananaskis, the Bow River area, or Jasper
- Paddle day: rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards at places like Sylvan Lake, Cold Lake, Peace River, or Lac Ste. Anne and follow it up with a lakeside BBQ
- River float: find a route that suits your group and float down a scenic river at places like Pembina River, North Saskatchewan River, Devon, or Red Deer
Self-led group challenges
- Food crawl: choose a city, try a few hot spots, and vote for your favourite patio/appetizer/dessert
- Geo-caching: visit geocaching.com and hunt for caches in a river valley or provincial park
- Nature bingo: spot various plants, features, sounds, or wildlife during a park or river valley walk
At its heart, Discovery Days is a reminder that wellness doesn’t have to look like work—it can be playful, social, and something you genuinely look forward to. Whether it’s a full day of adventure, a weekend road trip, or a simple afternoon outdoors, moments of fun and connection help restore our energy and perspective. This summer, consider making space for light, joyful, and refreshing experiences—because sometimes the most meaningful wellness comes from simply having a good time.
CPA Assist provides confidential counselling services, and 24/7 crisis support to Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories and Nunavut CPAs, candidates, and their immediate families. To book an appointment through CPA Assist call 1-855-596-4222. For more information about upcoming webinars and events, visit cpa-assist.ca.
[1] The relationship between leisure activities and mental health: The impact of resilience and COVID‐19 – PMC
